Cement-based photocatalytic composition, which comprises: (a) at least one cement binder; (b) at least one photocatalyst; (c) at least one cellulose ether; (d) at least one fluidizing agent; (e) at least one first calcareous filler in the form of particles of which at least 95% by weight has a size not greater than 100 m; (f) at least one second calcareous filler in the form of particles of which at least 95% by weight has a size not greater than 30 m; (g) at least one silane supported on an inorganic support in the form of powder. Such composition can be employed as a water paint for obtaining wall coatings with very low thickness, in particular the outdoor applications, which ensure a high and stable photocatalytic effect over time even with relatively low quantities of photocatalyst, generally lower than 10% by weight, with optimal results in terms of uniformity of the coating and resistance of the same to weathering agents.

Methods for embedding photocatalytic titanium dioxide in concrete surfaces to reduce pollutants via photocatalytic reactions are provided herein. One method includes applying an amount of concrete treatment compound to an upper surface of the concrete, the concrete treatment compound comprising a mixture of a liquid carrier compound with a titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) photocatalyst.

Methods for embedding photocatalytic titanium dioxide in concrete surfaces to reduce pollutants via photocatalytic reactions are provided herein. One method includes mixing a solvent compound with an anatase titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) photocatalyst, applying an amount of concrete treatment compound to an upper surface of the concrete, the concrete treatment compound comprising a mixture of a liquid carrier compound with the anatase titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) photocatalyst.

The present invention relates to an inorganic pigment with the function of a catalyst that can be activated by light from the entire visible spectrum but also in the absence of light, to a process for obtaining it, to various formulations containing this inorganic pigment and its use. The present invention also provides a method of destroying pathogens represented by irradiating with electromagnetic radiation from the entire visible spectrum (400 nm-700 nm) the surfaces on which they have been applied -formulations containing the inorganic pigment. Additionally, the invention provides the use of the pigment disclosed herein for its catalytic, bactericidal, virucidal and de-pollution activity in the absence of light.

Disclosed embodiments concern a composition comprising a diatom frustule and two or more photocatalytic nanoparticles dispersed on the surface of the frustule. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for making the composition. The nanoparticles are dispersed such that they are separate and not in physical contact with each other. An average distance between the nanoparticles may be from greater than 0 nm to 100 nm. The nanoparticles may comprise a dopant material. Paint compositions comprising the diatom frustule compositions are also contemplated. The diatom frustule composition may be useful for removing and/or degrading volatile organic compounds, such as those present in the atmosphere.

The present invention relates to a composite material including a porous titania thin film and a preparation method therefor. A composite material according to the present invention allows for a simple thin film formation process because of the use of cellulose crystals, makes it easy to control the structure of the titanium dioxide thin film provided therefor, has a large specific area, and is superior in terms of scratch resistance and photoactivity, thus finding useful applications in the various fields utilizing titanium dioxide as a photocatalyst.

Methods for embedding photocatalytic titanium dioxide in concrete surfaces to reduce pollutants via photocatalytic reactions are provided herein. One method includes mixing a solvent compound with an anatase titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) photocatalyst, applying an amount of concrete treatment compound to an upper surface of the concrete, the concrete treatment compound comprising a mixture of a liquid carrier compound with the anatase titanium dioxide (TiO.sub.2) photocatalyst.

The invention relates to photocatalytic compositions, e.g. cement-based photocatalytic compositions, and the uses thereof for obtaining water paints. There is provided a photocatalytic composition, which comprises: (a) at least one inorganic binder; (b) at least one photocatalyst; (c) at least one cellulose with very low viscosity; (d) at least one fluidizing agent; (e) at least one first calcareous filler in the form of particles of which at least 95% by weight has a dimension not greater than 40 m; (f) at least one second calcareous filler in the form of particles of which at least 95% by weight has a dimension not greater than 20 m; (g) at least one thermal insulator material comprising hollow ceramic spheres with sub-mm diameters, and (h) glass bubble borosilicate microspheres.

A porous material having a hierarchical pore structure, wherein a size and shape of interconnection parts of at least one level pore cavities is consistent with a size and shape of interconnection parts between the level pore cavities and the previous level pore cavities thereof, and an average value of equivalent diameters of the interconnection parts is larger than 45% of that of a diameter of small pore cavities of two adjacent pore cavities of the interconnection parts. The method for preparing the porous material includes: mixing a raw material powder with a pore-forming agent used for preparing the smallest level pores to formulate a slurry; uniformly filling the slurry into a polymeric material frame, and drying and crushing to form mixed grains; then uniformly mixing the mixed grains with the pore-forming agent used for preparing the upper-level pore cavities, forming a compact green body and sintering.

The present invention provides a photocatalytic concrete material sprayed with titanium dioxide/activated zeolite composite material and preparation method thereof, and the photocatalytic concrete material sprayed with titanium dioxide/activated zeolite composite material comprises following raw materials in parts by weight titanium dioxide 0.1-20 parts, activated zeolite molecular sieve 0.1-20 parts, dispersant 0.1-5 parts, emulsifier 0.05-2 parts, coupling agent 0.05-2 parts, cement 40-90 parts, fine sand 40-90 parts and water. In the present invention, the activated zeolite molecular sieve can load titanium dioxide photocatalytic material as a carrier, and can easily adsorb gaseous pollutant of automobile exhaust with huge specific surface area (280.1 m.sup.2/g), thereby increasing photocatalytic degradation efficiency and the efficiency can reach 92%, besides, the present invention has advantages of simple preparation technology, cheap raw materials and low preparation cost, so the present invention is suitable for industrial production.